The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled plans to launch an online voter pre-registration exercise starting August 18, 2025, aimed at streamlining the voter registration process ahead of the 2027 general elections. The announcement was made by INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, during a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The online pre-registration initiative is designed to enhance accessibility and convenience for eligible voters, particularly targeting first-time registrants and those seeking to update their voter information. Prof. Yakubu emphasized that the digital platform will allow citizens to initiate the registration process from the comfort of their homes, reducing the need for long queues at physical registration centers.
“This is a significant step in modernizing our electoral processes,” Yakubu stated. “The online pre-registration portal will be user-friendly, secure, and accessible to all eligible Nigerians with internet access. It will also decongest registration centers and make the process more efficient.”
The pre-registration exercise will run from August 18 to September 30, 2025, and is open to Nigerians who will be 18 years or older by the election date. Applicants will be required to provide personal details, including their National Identification Number (NIN), which will be verified through INEC’s integration with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) database. After completing the online pre-registration, voters will be required to visit designated INEC centers for biometric capture and final validation.
INEC also clarified that the online system will not replace the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise but will complement it. “The online portal is an additional channel to make the process more inclusive,” Yakubu noted. “Those without internet access can still register at our physical centers across the country.”
The commission has assured Nigerians of the security of the online platform, stating that robust measures have been put in place to protect user data and prevent fraudulent registrations. INEC has partnered with leading cybersecurity experts to safeguard the system against potential threats.
To ensure widespread participation, INEC plans to roll out a nationwide awareness campaign to educate citizens on how to use the online portal. The campaign will include tutorials in major Nigerian languages and collaboration with community leaders, civil society organizations, and media outlets.
The announcement has been met with optimism from electoral stakeholders. Dr. Aisha Mohammed, a political analyst, described the move as a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s electoral system. “This initiative will encourage more young people to participate in the electoral process, especially tech-savvy individuals who may find physical registration cumbersome,” she said.
However, concerns have been raised about potential challenges, including limited internet access in rural areas and the need for adequate infrastructure at physical registration centers. INEC has pledged to address these issues by deploying mobile registration units to underserved areas and ensuring that all centers are equipped to handle the expected influx of registrants.
INEC has urged eligible voters to take advantage of the pre-registration window and to visit the commission’s official website, www.inec.gov.ng, for detailed guidelines on the process. The commission also encouraged citizens to report any technical issues encountered on the portal through its dedicated helplines.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections, INEC’s adoption of technology is seen as a critical step toward ensuring a credible, inclusive, and efficient electoral process. Further updates on the pre-registration exercise will be communicated in the coming weeks.
For more information, contact INEC’s Public Affairs Department at [email protected] or call 0800-INECCALL (0800-4632-2255).
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